‘The Humans’ Film Review: A House of Horrors

The Humans (2021) is a drama film from debut writer-director Stephen Karam, based on his own stage play. It stars an ensemble cast including Richard Jenkins, Jayne Houdyshell, Steven Yeun, Beanie Feldstein, Amy Schumer and June Squibb in the story of a lower-class family in New York gathering together for Thanksgiving dinner. The film debuted at Toronto International Film Festival ahead of its hybrid release in theaters and streaming on Showtime. What has critics buzzing about this one?

‘House of Gucci’ Film Review: The Gaga-dfather

House of Gucci (2021) is a true-crime drama film from director Ridley Scott and writers Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna. It stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, an ambitious young woman who marries into the Gucci fashion family and aspires to rise to a position of power alongside her husband Maurizio (Adam Driver). The film received polarized reactions from critics ahead of its Thanksgiving weekend release. Is the hate justified, or is this a misunderstood gem?

‘C’mon C’mon’ Film Review: The Children Are The Future

C’mon C’mon (2021) is a black-and-white drama film from writer-director Mike Mills. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as a documentary filmmaker who embarks on a road trip with his precocious young nephew (played by Woody Norman). The film debuted at this year’s Telluride Film Festival and has quickly emerged as one of the most acclaimed films of the year. Can this quiet little drama sneak into the Oscar race?

‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Film Review: Creativity in Crisis

Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021) is a musical drama film from debut director and Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda. Based on Jonathan Larson’s one-man play of the same name, it stars Andrew Garfield as Larson, a struggling musical theater writer who yearns to write the next great American musical. The film opened last week at AFI Fest to strong reviews ahead of its November 19th release on Netflix. Can yet another musical sneak into the conversation in this crowded year?

‘King Richard’ Film Review: Family, Fatherhood and Familiarity

King Richard (2021) is a sports drama biopic from director Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin. It stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, father of a young Venus and Serena Williams, as he fights to get their tennis careers started and build their confidence in themselves. The film debuted at Telluride Film Festival ahead of its Nov. 19 release in theaters and on HBO Max. Will this be as big of an Oscars contender as everyone seems to believe?

Best Picture Power Rankings: November 2021 Edition

Welcome back to our monthly Best Picture Power Rankings, in which we take a look at the Academy Award for Best Picture race to judge which films are in position for a nomination (or a win)! We had some big shake-ups this month with many more films being screened and released to the public. Who is in first place? Who has moved into or out of the top 10? Join me as we dive in!

First Critic Reactions: ‘House of Gucci’, ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’, ‘Licorice Pizza’

As we draw nearer to the end of 2021, the last remaining high-profile films are finally being seen by critics and general audiences alike. This week was especially crazy, with the first reactions to three films that are sure to make a splash at the upcoming 94th Academy Awards: House of Gucci, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and Licorice Pizza. What did viewers have to say about each of them? Will any of them prove to be major contenders at the Oscars?

‘Passing’ Film Review: Fifty Shades of Gray

Passing (2021) is a period drama from actress turned writer-director Rebecca Hall, based on a 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen. It stars Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga as two light-skinned women of color, once childhood friends but now on opposite sides of the race divide as one of them passes as white and the other does not. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year ahead of its Netflix release on November 10. Can this little black-and-white indie debut crack the Oscar lineup?

‘The Beta Test’ Film Review: A Sexy Satire

The Beta Test (2021) is a satirical thriller-mystery film from writers, directors and stars Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe. It tells the story of a Hollywood executive who is drawn into a mysterious world of anonymous sex that threatens to unravel his personal life. The film debuted at this year’s Berlin Film Festival ahead of its theatrical and VOD release on November 5. Is the third time the charm for fledgling filmmaker Jim Cummings?

‘The Harder They Fall’ Film Review: Pulp Nonfiction

The Harder They Fall (2021) is a Western action-drama film written and directed by Jeymes Samuel in his feature-length debut. It stars an ensemble cast including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Idris Elba, Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield and Delroy Lindo in a story based on the life of Nat Love and other black cowboys and outlaws in the American Old West. The film debuted at the BFI London Film Festival last month ahead of its theatrical and streaming release via Netflix. Is this a worthy entry into the Western film lexicon?